Theories Guiding Nursing Research and Practice
Making Nursing Knowledge Development Explicit
By: Joyce J. Fitzpatrick, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, Geraldine McCarthy, PhD, MSN, MEd, DipN, RNYT, RGN, Fellow RCSI
About This Book
"[This book] has its origins in courses taught by the editors and their collaborators for doctoral students. It therefore addresses the need to focus on how theories can be applied in the real world of clinical practice and the research based on it. Introductory and concluding sections make the case for the importance of theoretical frameworks when developing practice and research settings. Eighteen chapters cover individual theoretical approaches. While some, such as the theory of human caring and transformational leadership theory, will be familiar to many readers in the UK, others cover new territory... SCORE: 4/5 stars." --John Adams , honorary research associate, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery , Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Nursing Standard This is the first book to clearly and fully demonstrate the process of using theory to guide nursing research and professional practice. It describes a step-by-step format for evaluating nursing theoryís applicability to research, a format that links theory (both middle-range and grand theory) to research on a wide range of clinical populations and care delivery systems. The book describes how theory analysis models are used to examine various nursing phenomena as they relate to nursing research and professional practice, and provides key examples of how this is accomplished. The book takes the reader through the process of using a theory to guide research from inception of a research question to evaluation of future research. International experts in theory-related nursing research describe twelve theories that have previously been applied to research and practice and six theories that can be applied to future research and practice. Using a consistent analytic framework, each chapter applies a specific theory (from either nursing, psychology, sociology, or management) to a particular clinical population or care delivery issue. These encompass clinical, administrative, and educational nursing settings. The consistent format facilitates ease of comparison across different theories. Generous use of figures and tables further demonstrates the complex relationships between and among concepts embedded in the theories. Key Features: Demonstrates a systematic format for evaluating middle-range and grand nursing theoryís applicability to research Links theory to clinical practice at patient population and care delivery levels Provides a useful template for students of nursing disciplinary knowledge development Presents the scholarship of international researchers of theory-related nursing Includes theories from nursing, psychology, sociology, and management
AI Overview
"Theories Guiding Nursing Research and Practice" is a book edited by Joyce J. Fitzpatrick, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, and Geraldine McCarthy, PhD, MSN, MEd, DipN, RNYT, RGN, Fellow RCSI. The book provides a comprehensive account of how theoretical thinking is translated into nursing research and professional practice. Here is a detailed overview of the book:
Key Themes
Theory Development: The book focuses on the process of developing and applying theories in nursing research and practice. It emphasizes the importance of making nursing knowledge development explicit, allowing nurses to formulate meaningful theories for their practice and patients.
Neotheories and Frameworks: The authors discuss their approaches in developing neotheories and frameworks. For instance, Coffey’s framework was devised from Meleis’s Transitions Theory to guide research on the readiness of older people at discharge to move from acute hospital care to home.
Conceptual Frameworks: The book illustrates how conceptual frameworks are constructed using various theories. For example, Cleary, Burton, and Hegarty used Wood’s holistic perspective of sexuality to study people at risk of altered sexuality from illness.
Theoretical Thinking in Practice: The chapters highlight how theoretical thinking is applied in real-world nursing scenarios. This includes discussions on frameworks related to social support, self-regulation, symptom management, acculturation, empowerment, work engagement, and interpersonal relations.
Theory Applications: The book concludes with a thought-provoking chapter on theory applications that inform and guide nursing interventions. This chapter underscores the practical relevance of theoretical frameworks in nursing practice.
Plot Summary
The book is structured to provide a thorough understanding of the translation of theoretical thinking into nursing research and practice. It includes:
- Introduction: An overview of the importance of making nursing knowledge development explicit.
- Case Studies: Detailed examples of how various theories are applied in different nursing contexts. These case studies illustrate the development of neotheories and frameworks.
- Theory Applications: Practical applications of theoretical frameworks in nursing interventions.
- Conclusion: A summary of the book’s key points and future directions for nursing theory development.
Critical Reception
The book has received positive reviews for its comprehensive approach to nursing theory development and its practical applications. Here are some key points from the critical reception:
- Relevance: The book is praised for its relevance to contemporary nursing practice, providing nurses with the tools to develop meaningful theories that guide their research and interventions.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The book is commended for its thorough coverage of various theoretical frameworks and their applications in nursing research and practice.
- Educational Value: The book is highly valued for its educational content, providing students with a deep understanding of the origins of concepts and classic theories used in nursing.
Overall, "Theories Guiding Nursing Research and Practice" is a seminal work in the field of nursing theory development, offering a comprehensive guide for both researchers and practitioners. Its emphasis on making nursing knowledge development explicit makes it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in advancing the field of nursing through theoretical frameworks.